Health officials are warning people to take precautions as the number of positive influenza cases at Passavant Area Hospital passes the 100 mark.

As of Monday, Passavant has had 144 positive Influenza A tests since the beginning of February, said Sue Schleyhahn, manager of the hospital’s infectious diseases program.

“We are seeing a sharp increase in the number of positive Influenza A results,” she said. “Here in Jacksonville, we’ve had a late season start.”

According to Walgreen’s Flu Index Tracker, Illinois is 37th in the nation for its number of influenza cases.

Flu season usually runs from October to March, but Schleyhahn said the first positive test in Jacksonville wasn’t recorded until mid-December. Jacksonville saw peaks in January and again this month.

Other hospitals in the region are seeing similar trends with a jump in January and a peak in February, Schleyhahn said.

The number of states in which influenza is widespread this season has increased to 48 states and Puerto Rico, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scott Boston, Passavant’s incoming chief medical officer, said the flu is common this time of year and people need to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

The flu manifests with congestion, cough, sore throat and a fever.

While most people tend to recover from the flu without complications, those with long-lasting symptoms, children and the elderly should take extra precautions and seek medical treatment to prevent worsening illness — such as pneumonia — that can develop from the flu, Boston said.

“If someone has trouble breathing, a shortness of breath, that could be signs of a worsening case,” Boston said.

In young children, there also is a risk of dehydration, he said. In cases of fever, it is important to contact a physician for treatment options and advice, Boston said.

Current numbers are highest among children ages 8 to 12.

The CDC reported at the beginning of February that 34 children nationwide had died from flu-related causes so far this flu season.

Because of the flu, the Illinois Department of Public Health has implemented a temporary visitor restriction for hospitals.

Passavant is asking those under the age of 18 not to visit the hospital, for each patient to limit visitors to two at a time, and for those who are sick not to visit patients at the hospital or to wear a mask if they do, Schleyhahn said.

“We want to help limit the spread of the virus,” Schleyhahn said.

It is important to take steps to minimize the spread of the flu, such as washing hands, limiting contact with other people while sick, getting the flu shot and limiting contact with contaminated surfaces, Boston said.

“We recommend getting the flu shot in the fall before the start of flu season, but it’s not too late,” Boston said. “The CDC has reported this year’s vaccine is 50 percent effective, meaning it reduces the risk of getting the flu in half.”

The season’s peak times have been pretty consistent with previous years, Schleyhahn said.

“We’ve peaked around the same time last year, but the number of cases were far greater,” she said. “We are still seeing the traditional activity for this time of year.”

Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha.